Making Your Home Special

When it comes to building the home of your dreams, there aren't many things more intimidating than the building process. However, about six months ago, I found myself going under contract with a builder to design and build the home of my dreams. It was really fun to pick everything from the color on the walls to the type of carpet throughout the house, and I was really impressed with how beautifully everything turned out. This blog is all about making your home special and understanding how to go about the building process. Check out this website for more information.

Choosing The Best Fence And Gate Options For Your Pool

Posted on:
15 March 2017

If you have a pool on your property, then you want the area to be as secure as possible. This means placing a fence that is strong and heavy. Fences are also required in most areas and must meet local guidelines. These guidelines may include a four-foot-high fence, with a latched gate and top and bottom rails that are no less than 46 or 48 inches from one another. If you have similar guidelines that you need to meet and also want to reduce your general liability, then keep reading to learn about some fencing options you should look for.

Steel Fencing

Steel fences are the sturdiest and strongest fences you can buy. The fencing material is ideal for use with pools as long as stainless steel varieties are purchased. These types of fences can resist corrosion and the appearance of rust. The fences will not warp or bend, like wood options, and the material will retain its strength, even if you decide on a higher fence than you need. This means that you can opt for a six foot fence that enhances safety.

If you opt for a steel fence, then there are a few options that you need to consider. You should find one with bars that are closer together. Typical bars are spaced between four and six inches apart. However, small children, cats, dogs, and other animals may squeeze through. This is easy to avoid with two- to three-inch-spaced bars instead. Very little space should sit at the bottom of the fence as well. In this area, there should only be a few inches of space between the bottom rail and the edge of the pool deck.

Also, the main fence posts should be about four feet apart, especially if the fence is taller. This will keep the fence extremely sturdy even if the fence is hit by a wind storm or a tree.

If you do opt for the steel fencing, then choose one that is made with an enamel coating. This will protect the fence from chemical deterioration if chlorine comes into contact with it. Some fences have polyurethane coatings as well. However, this is seen most often when a chain link fence is installed.

Self-Locking Pool Gate

Gates are extremely important when it comes to securing your pool. While a self-closing gate may be sufficient for some, these gates are not typically secure enough to keep small children from opening gates and slipping into the pool area. This can be devastating if you have a toddler. In this case, a self-locking gate is a much better idea.

The most common gates are ones with latches that sit high up on a protruding handle. The latch can be activated with a push button or turn knob. When the gate closes, the latch must be released before the gate can be opened. Since the latch sits up so high, only adults and older children can reach them to open the gate. Most of these self-locking gates also have key locks that can be used. If the key lock is activated, only the key can be used to open the gate.

If you like the idea of a self-locking gate, but do not like the fact that the gate can be opened by an unauthorized individual, then you can purchase a more sophisticated and automated system. Some of these systems have keypads where a code needs to be entered to open the gate. Other systems use push button openers much like garage doors. You can even invest in gates that use fingerprint identification systems or smartphone-enabled gates. Speak with a fencing company to learn about your gate options and what may work best in your situation.